Lucky to be ALIVE!!!

Garycw · Oct 4, 2014

This was touched on in another topic, but thought I needed its own. I beg of everyone not to mess with a starter on tractor with battery hooked up. I accidentally shorted a starter in tractor while in gear four days ago. After being airlifted to a trama 1 hospital and total hip replacement, I'm lucky to be alive !

tnjind · Oct 4, 2014

Wow, things can happen so quick.
Yes you are very lucky.
Speedy recovery to you.

brin · Oct 4, 2014

Gary....God Bless, get well soon...accidents happen, we all have had our moments and some us got lucky and others not so much ....so don't feel like it's only you....Get Well.

RoyJackson · Oct 4, 2014

Wow!

This needs to be moved to the Safety forum!

kevin37b · Oct 4, 2014

Winter will be happening soon for a lot of us , another opportunity for DISASTERS .

dieselcrawler · Oct 4, 2014

Best wishes for a speedy recovery...

300UGUY · Oct 4, 2014

Good luck on recovery!

milkman636 · Oct 4, 2014

Wow, I just read the other thread too. It is a terrible thing to have happened, but it sounds like you are taking it well and we all hope you have a speedy recovery.

Thanks for sharing your story, it is a great reminder to remain vigilant about safety when we are working around our equipment. It truly could happen to any of us.

Rocky Hoffler · Oct 4, 2014

Continue to get well I'm glad you shared this makes us all think. when we get comfortable is when we make mistakes probably nothing that had not done before by a lot of us take care.

TomSeller · Oct 4, 2014

Thankfully you will recover and thank you or the reminder post. What were you doing that you accidentally engaged the start by shorting something?

Walkin Horse · Oct 4, 2014

I ain't tellin y'all I told you so, but when the Old Gray Mare post was going on I made mention of this happening to her. All the advice that was given was go ahead and try it it will only hurt for awhile.
I am sorry to hear of your accident. I wish you a speedy recovery.

QBH · Oct 4, 2014

Thanks for the heads up from a n00b with much to learn. Get better soon!

/pine · Oct 4, 2014

Best wishes for a full recovery...

Everyone that wants to remove/short their seat/clutch, neutral safety switches should read this...

Beavz · Oct 4, 2014

QBH said:
Thanks for the heads up from a n00b with much to learn. Get better soon!

X 2!

We ALL (especially us NOOBIES) can learn from others experiences. Thanks for sharing, God's speed on your recovery.

Beavz

deerseeker001 · Oct 4, 2014

Get Well Fast.

banjodunn · Oct 4, 2014

G'day sorry to hear of your misfortune hope your recovery is a speedy one .

Jon

Stihlrunner · Oct 4, 2014

So how was the shorting of the starter such a disaster? I'm assuming the tractor was in gear? More details needed before a directive can be made.

texasjohn · Oct 4, 2014

I think you have the picture...hip replacement means heavy trauma. To work on a tractor engine, you have to be standing in front of the large rear wheels. If it should jump forward...well, there you are.

Here's wishing a speedy recovery, Gary!!

Stihlrunner said:
So how was the shorting of the starter such a disaster? I'm assuming the tractor was in gear? More details needed before a directive can be made.

PhysAssist · Oct 4, 2014

texasjohn said:
I think you have the picture...hip replacement means heavy trauma. To work on a tractor engine, you have to be standing in front of the large rear wheels. If it should jump forward...well, there you are.

Here's wishing a speedy recovery, Gary!!

1K X's what you said, because in addition to the unplanned total hip rpelacement, there was a Mercy Flight Airlift to the Level 1Trauma Center, not something they do on a whim for a hangnail or a broken ankle or something....

Gary, I'm glad you were able to keep the leg and you'll be in our thoughts and prayers for a speedy and full recovery.

Thomas (and Pat)

Coyote machine · Oct 5, 2014

Really?! Sorry you were hurt, glad you're not dead. BUT, how does anyone end up working on a starter on a gear tractor, with the tractor in gear, without disconnecting the battery negative post's cable?
This kind of 'accident' is totally preventable with just the bare minimum of common sense, and safety precautions in place before doing any wrenching....
BTW, those who disconnect seat switches and similar safety devices should get what they deserve when/if things go wrong, and hopefully not end up hurting an innocent bystander in the process.